Aboriginal / First Nation / Métis Health Services

After a three-year process, historic resolutions were signed today in Moosonee, Ontario confirming commitment to integrate the provincial James Bay General Hospital and the federal Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin into the new Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA).

This historic event involved cooperation and collaboration among leadership of the NE LHIN, the Boards, the Chiefs of the Hudson and James Bay communities as well as the Federal, Provincial and Municipal government.

Resolutions by the three hospital boards – Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin, James Bay General Hospital, and WAHA – confirm their commitment to proceed with integration by way of the North East LHIN’s Voluntary Integration process. The goal is to have the integration completed by October 1, 2010.

Overview

The NELHIN is focused on building meaningful relations with Aboriginal/First Nation/Métis communities to help improve the health status and services of Aboriginal/First Nation/Metis people who comprise approximately 10% of the overall NE LHIN population.

In 2007, the NE LHIN established two Interim Aboriginal Health Planning Groups which transitioned in 2009 to the Local Aboriginal Health Committee (LAHC). The LAHC meets on a regular basis and advises on the health planning priorities in general within Aboriginal / First Nation / Métis communities.